Christopher Praetzas (R) discusses sample production with production director of the company at a workshop of CIT (Taicang) Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. in Taicang, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Feb. 25, 2026. At the beginning of the Chinese New Year, CIT (Taicang) Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. located in Taicang Sino-German Life Science Park operated at full capacity to produce air suspension compressors for new energy vehicles. The couple in charge of the enterprise, Christopher Praetzas and Jiang Xiaohua were occupied with discussions on the development plan for the new year and inspections of the production line, leaving them no time to rest. This is the fourth year that this Sino-German couple have been in Taicang.
Years ago, when Christopher was deeply involved in the German aviation manufacturing and artificial intelligence fields and Jiang Xiaohua was engaged in the automotive manufacturing industry, they had the idea of starting their own business. In order to find an ideal location, the couple traveled back and forth between China and Germany to explore their options.
In 2023, Jiang Xiaohua visited Taicang for the first time. When she drove into the tree-lined streets, she was struck by the vitality and tranquility of this small city. What surprised Christopher was that the supplier he cooperated with in Germany was located right here, surrounded by numerous auto parts enterprises. The well-established ecosystem for German enterprises and the mature industrial chain made them decide immediately to start their business here.
"On the first day we came, we were given a policy handbook. In the afternoon, government staff showed us around the industrial park. The next day, they helped us sort out the registration process. Everything was incredibly efficient." said Jiang Xiaohua. The respect for technical talents made them feel even warmer. In their first year of business, Christopher received multiple honors, reinforcing their sense of belonging.
As time passed, the couple have integrated more into this city and their company has achieved a rapid development, with its air suspension compressors for new energy vehicle having an annual production capacity of 240,000 units. The second-generation product of the company is currently in the development stage. Looking ahead, Christopher has a clear vision: to build a technology-oriented company, whose products will not only serve the Chinese market but also reach Europe, North America and beyond.
In their leisure time, Christopher and Jiang Xiaohua enjoyed the warmth of this small town. Spending family moments at the Renmin Park or strolling on the street of Taicang Rothenburg Waterfront made them feel as if they were at a German town.
Known as the "hometown of German enterprises", Taicang has gathered over 560 German-funded enterprises in the past 33 years. At present, over one thousand Germans work and live here all year round. They brought German technology and the spirit of craftsmanship, and also found their own "second hometown" on this open and inclusive land.
Home is where the heart is. The story of this Sino-German couple chasing their dreams in Taicang is still unfolding. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
Christopher Praetzas (front) and Jiang Xiaohua discuss customer demands at their office in CIT (Taicang) Automotive Technology Co., Ltd., in Taicang, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Feb. 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
Christopher Praetzas prepares for a noise test on the central air supply system in a semi-anechoic chamber of CIT (Taicang) Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. in Taicang, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Feb. 25, 2026. (Photo by Liu Zhenrui/Xinhua)
Christopher Praetzas (L) assembles parts at a workshop of CIT (Taicang) Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. in Taicang, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Feb. 25, 2026. (Photo by Liu Zhenrui/Xinhua)
Christopher Praetzas (R) discusses processing plans with an employee at CIT (Taicang) Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. in Taicang, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Feb. 25, 2026. (Photo by Liu Zhenrui/Xinhua)
Christopher Praetzas (L) and Jiang Xiaohua discusses processing plans at a precision machining workshop of CIT (Taicang) Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. in Taicang, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Feb. 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
Christopher Praetzas (L) and Jiang Xiaohua play with their daughter at home in Taicang, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Feb. 26, 2026. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
Christopher Praetzas inspects the equipment at a processing workshop of CIT (Taicang) Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. in Taicang, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Feb. 25, 2026. (Photo by Liu Zhenrui/Xinhua)
Jiang Xiaohua's mother (R) takes care of her granddaughter at home in Taicang, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Feb. 26, 2026. (Photo by Liu Zhenrui/Xinhua)
Christopher Praetzas plays with his daughter at home in Taicang, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Feb. 26, 2026. (Photo by Liu Zhenrui/Xinhua)
Christopher Praetzas (L) and production director of the company assemble samples at a workshop of CIT (Taicang) Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. in Taicang, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Feb. 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
Christopher Praetzas (L) discusses processing plans with employees at a precision machining workshop of CIT (Taicang) Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. in Taicang, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Feb. 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
Christopher Praetzas (L) inspects the production at a production workshop of CIT (Taicang) Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. in Taicang, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Feb. 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
Christopher Praetzas (front) and Jiang Xiaohua inspect the production at a production workshop of CIT (Taicang) Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. in Taicang, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Feb. 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
Christopher Praetzas (back) and Jiang Xiaohua pose for a photo at CIT (Taicang) Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. in Taicang, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Feb. 25, 2026. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)
Christopher Praetzas (L) and Jiang Xiaohua discuss product experiments at a precision machining workshop of CIT (Taicang) Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. in Taicang, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Feb. 25, 2026. (Photo by Liu Zhenrui/Xinhua)
Jiang Xiaohua (L) discusses customer plans with a colleague of the sales department at CIT (Taicang) Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. in Taicang, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Feb. 25, 2026. (Photo by Liu Zhenrui/Xinhua)
Christopher Praetzas (R) discusses product design with production director of the company at a workshop of CIT (Taicang) Automotive Technology Co., Ltd. in Taicang, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Feb. 25, 2026. (Photo by Liu Zhenrui/Xinhua)
